Prepare for a Japanese language exchange

The idea

Agree on the meeting length and divide time between your languages before starting. Prepare a short introduction and two open questions, then listen and ask a follow-up. Use 〜ましょう to suggest an action together and 〜てください to request help. Agree whether corrections should come immediately or at the end.

Examples

• 今日きょうは日本語にほんごで話はなしたいです。Today I would like to speak Japanese.
• 最初さいしょの十分じゅっぷんは日本語にほんごで話はなしましょう。Let’s speak Japanese for the first ten minutes.
• 週末しゅうまつはいつも何なにをしますか。What do you usually do on weekends?
• もう一度いちど、ゆっくり言いってください。Please say that again slowly.
• この言葉ことばはどういう意味いみですか。What does this word mean?
• 間違まちがいを直なおしてください。Please correct my mistakes.

Watch out

Do not assume your partner wants the same amount of correction or speaking time. Ask first; a correction is a suggestion to discuss, not a substitute for conversation.

Try it yourself

1. もう一度いちど、ゆっくり言いって＿。（ください／ましょう）

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   ください

   ください completes 言ってください, a request to say it again slowly.

2. 最初さいしょの十分じゅっぷんは日本語にほんごで話はなし＿。（ましょう／ください）

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   ましょう

   ましょう completes 話しましょう, a suggestion that both speak Japanese.

3. この言葉ことばはどういう＿ですか。（意味／週末）

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   意味

   意味 means meaning; the question asks what the word means.

Use it today

Plan a twenty-minute exchange: choose a topic, write two questions and divide the time. Practise asking for a repeat and decide together how to handle corrections.